Tragedy Occurs as Four Killed During Memorial for Kenyan Political Figure Raila Odinga
Four people were killed in Nairobi when security forces shot and deployed teargas to break up massive crowds at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's remains was lying in state.
National Figure Remembered
The statesman, who remained a significant presence in the nation's political landscape for decades, succumbed on Wednesday at eight decades while undergoing healthcare in India.
He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we benefit from those rights today because of his work.
Turmoil Unfolds at Stadium
Countless followers gathered on roadways from dawn, with disorder breaking out when massive group breached a barrier at the city's central arena, prompting soldiers to discharge weapons upward.
- Two people lost their lives to gunfire at the stadium
- Casualties eventually reached to four
- Scores of people got wounded
- Police deployed chemical agents to disperse thousands mourners
Airport Incident and Parliament Standoff
Previously that day, thousands of supporters temporarily invaded the city's air terminal, interrupting a official event where the head of state and government representatives were accepting Odinga's corpse with military honors.
This incident led to a two-hour suspension of aviation services.
Assemblies also flooded surrounding thoroughfares and attempted to breach the government complex, where the administration had first arranged the public viewing.
Political Impact and Community Support
While predominantly identified as an political challenger, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also established a political pact with the leader last year in a career marked by evolving coalitions.
He commanded strong loyalty among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in the nation's western region, many of whom contend he was prevented from obtaining the highest office by electoral fraud.
Many of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-faction governance, paid tribute to Odinga's contributions as an campaigner.